Getty Museum

Initial D: The Lion of Judah

Date

probably 1170s

Medium

Tempera colors, gold leaf, silver leaf, and ink

Culture

German

Department

Manuscripts

Institution

Getty Museum

Standing prominently within an initial *D* , the Lion of Judah serves here as a representation of one of the original twelve tribes of Israel. Christian commentators used the Lion of Judah as a symbol to signify Jesus' descent from King David. The initial heralds the beginning of the prayer *Deus qui Hod[ierna die* (God who on this day).

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